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'''Alexander Hamilton''' (January 11, 1755 – July 12, 1804) was a [[statesman]], a [[Political philosophy|political theorist]] and an [[economist]]. He was one of the [[Founding Fathers of the United States]]. Hamilton was the [[United States]]' first [[United States Secretary of the Treasury|Secretary of the Treasury]]. He was known for the creation of a [[national bank]]. Born on the [[island]] of [[Nevis]] in the [[Caribbean Sea|Caribbean]], Hamilton moved to [[New York City]]. When the [[American Revolutionary War]] started, Hamilton served in the [[Continental Army]]. He was a close [[aide|aide]] to [[General]] [[George Washington]]. After leaving the military he started a [[bank]]. He was one of the [[frame|frame]]rs of the [[United States Constitution]]. Along with [[James Madison]] and [[John Jay]], he wrote the [[Federalist Papers]], which supported the new Constitution.

'''Alexander Hamilton''' (January 11, 1755 – July 12, 1804) was a [[statesman]], [[Political philosophy|political theorist]], and [[economist]] who was one of the [[Founding Fathers of the United States]]. Hamilton was the first [[United States Secretary of the Treasury]] and was known for the creation of a [[national bank]].

Hamilton became the [[United States Secretary of the Treasury|Secretary of the Treasury]] under George Washington. He helped set up the United States' [[finance|financial system]]. Hamilton supported a national bank as well as the [[fund|fund]]ing of the national [[debt]]. A leader of the [[Federalist Party]], he was a long time [[rival]] of [[Thomas Jefferson]]. He was killed in a [[Burr–Hamilton duel|duel]] with political rival [[Aaron Burr]] in 1804.

Born on the [[island]] of [[Nevis]] in the [[Caribbean Sea|Caribbean]], Hamilton moved to [[New York City]]. When the [[American Revolutionary War]] started, Hamilton served in the [[Continental Army]]. He was a close [[aide|aide]] to [[General]] [[George Washington]]. After leaving the military he started a [[bank]]. He was one of the [[frame|frame]]rs of the [[Constitution of the United States|United States Constitution]]. Along with [[James Madison]] and [[John Jay]], he wrote the [[Federalist Papers]], which supported the new Constitution.

Today, Hamilton is usually thought of as one of the most important of the early leaders. Hamilton's [[portrait]] appears on the [[United States ten-dollar bill]].

 

Today, Hamilton is usually thought of as one of the most important of the early leaders. His [[portrait]] appears on the [[United States ten-dollar bill]].

== Early life ==

== Early life ==

Hamilton was born in the [[Caribbean]] island of [[Nevis]]. His father was James Hamilton and his mother was Rachel Fawcett Lavien. Hamilton's mother had a child from a previous marriage that she left behind when she moved to Nevis. At the time, she was still married to another man. This meant that Hamilton was [[illegitimate]]. He was very sensitive about this fact. His father had left him as a child. Two years after this tragedy both Hamilton and his mother became sick. Hamilton recovered, but unfortunately his mother died. He was grief-stricken and moved in with his cousin. His cousin committed suicide.

Hamilton was born in the [[Caribbean]] island of [[Nevis]]. His father was James Hamilton, and his mother was Rachel Fawcett Lavien. Hamilton's mother had a child from a previous marriage that she left behind when she moved to Nevis. At the time, she was still married to another man, which meant that Hamilton was [[illegitimate]]. He was very sensitive about that fact.

 

His father had left him as a child. Two years after that tragedy, both Hamilton and his mother became sick. Hamilton recovered, but unfortunately, his mother died. He was grief-stricken and moved in with his cousin. His cousin committed [[suicide]].

In 1772 Hamilton went to New York to continue his education. He attended Kings College, now called [[Columbia University]], until 1776.

In 1772 Hamilton went to New York to continue his education. He attended Kings College, now called [[Columbia University]], until 1776.

== Career ==

== Career ==

Early in the [[American Revolution]] Hamilton was an [[artillery]] officer. Later he served on [[George Washington]]'s staff. Hamilton believed by the late 1780s that the [[Articles of Confederation]] made a government that was too weak to work well, and he supported drafting a new document. He was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention, and he was a signer of the Constitution. In 1789 he was co-author of the [[Federalist Papers]], a series of letters written by Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison under the name "Publius."<ref name=fedpapersHIST>{{cite web |url=http://www.history.com/topics/federalist-papers |title=Federalist Papers |website=History |publisher=A&E Television Networks, LLC |accessdate=October 7, 2016}}</ref> Hamilton wrote about two-thirds of the essays.<ref name=fedpapersHIST/> They were published in newspapers in New York and supported the new Constitution.<ref name=fedpapersHIST/> These writings are usually thought of as being one of the most important American works on politics and government. They are still widely read today.<ref name=fedpapersHIST/>

Early in the [[American Revolution]], Hamilton was an [[artillery]] [[officer]]. Later, he served on [[George Washington]]'s staff. Hamilton came to believe by the late 1780s that the [[Articles of Confederation]] made a government that was too weak to work well, and he supported drafting a new document. He was a delegate to the [[Constitutional Convention (United States)|Constitutional Convention]], and he was a signer of the new [[Constitution of the United States|Constitution]]. In 1789, he was co-author of the [[Federalist Papers]], a series of letters written by Hamilton, [[John Jay]], and [[James Madison]] under the name "Publius."<ref name=fedpapersHIST>{{cite web |url=http://www.history.com/topics/federalist-papers |title=Federalist Papers |website=History |publisher=A&E Television Networks, LLC |accessdate=October 7, 2016}}</ref> Hamilton wrote about two thirds of the essays.<ref name=fedpapersHIST/> They were published in newspapers in [[New York (state)|New York]] and supported the new Constitution.<ref name=fedpapersHIST/> These writings are usually thought of as being one of the most important [[United States|American]] works on politics and government. They are still widely read today.<ref name=fedpapersHIST/>

George Washington, who became president in 1789, chose Hamilton to be the first [[United States Secretary of the Treasury]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.treasury.gov/about/history/Pages/ahamilton.aspx |title=Alexander Hamilton (1789 - 1795) |website= |publisher=U.S. Department of the Treasury |accessdate=October 7, 2016}}</ref> While in this job, he supported a national bank and invented a way to pay the debt that the country owed for the Revolutionary War.{{fact|date=November 2020}} He helped start the Federalist Party. [[John Adams]] was a member, and Washington supported the party though he was not a member. After being Secretary of the Treasury he worked as a lawyer and continued to lead the Federalist Party.

Washington, who became president in 1789, chose Hamilton to be the first [[United States Secretary of the Treasury]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.treasury.gov/about/history/Pages/ahamilton.aspx |title=Alexander Hamilton (1789 - 1795) |website= |publisher=U.S. Department of the Treasury |accessdate=October 7, 2016}}</ref> In this job, he supported a [[Central bank|national bank]] and invented a way to pay the debt that the country owed for the Revolutionary War.{{fact|date=November 2020}} He helped start the [[Federalist Party]]. [[John Adams]] was a member, and Washington supported the party though he was not a member. After being Secretary of the Treasury he worked as a lawyer and continued to lead the Federalist Party.

Hamilton said he was very anti-[[slavery]]. Along with [[John Jay]] he was a leader of the New York Manumission Society. The society worked to [[Abolitionism|end slavery]] in New York by getting slave owners to choose to free their slaves. However, he [[Slave trade|bought and sold slaves]] for himself, his family, and his friends.<ref>{{Cite web|date=November 10, 2020|title=Did Hamilton own slaves? New research paper says he did|url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/did-hamilton-own-slaves-research-163709698.html|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-11-16|website=[[Yahoo!]] Finance|language=en-US}}</ref>

Hamilton said that he was very anti-[[slavery]]. Along with Jay, he was a leader of the New York Manumission Society. The society worked to [[Abolitionism|end slavery]] in New York by getting slave owners to choose to free their slaves. However, he [[History of slavery|bought and sold slaves]] for himself, his family, and his friends.<ref>{{Cite web|date=November 10, 2020|title=Did Hamilton own slaves? New research paper says he did|url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/did-hamilton-own-slaves-research-163709698.html|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-11-16|website=[[Yahoo!]] Finance|language=en-US}}</ref>

Hamilton also had great respect for the small Jewish community in America and was a major supporter of religious freedom.{{fact|date=November 2020}}

Hamilton also had great respect for the small [[Jew|Jewish]] community in America and was a major supporter of [[religious freedom]].{{fact|date=November 2020}}

In 1800 Hamilton's political rival [[Thomas Jefferson]] beat the Federalist John Adams. Jefferson and Hamilton had very different ideas about the direction the new country should take, although both were important founding fathers.

In 1800, Hamilton's political rival [[Thomas Jefferson]] beat the Federalist candidate, Adams, who did not always agree with Hamilton. Jefferson and Hamilton had very different ideas about the direction the new country should take although both were important Founding Fathers.

== Gunning and death ==

== Gunning and death ==

Hamilton had a long-time [[Rival|rivalry]] [[Thomas Jefferson|with Jefferson's]] vice president [[Aaron Burr]]. This resulted in the Burr–Hamilton duel of 1804 in which Burr killed Hamilton. Hamilton kept Burr from being re-nominated for vice president.<ref name="duelEWH">{{cite web |url=http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/duel.htm |title=Duel At Dawn, 1804 |website= |publisher=Eyewitness to History.com |accessdate=September 8, 2016}}</ref> He also kept him from becoming [[Governor of New York]].<ref name="duelEWH" /> Burr responded by challenging Hamilton to a [[duel]].<ref name="duelEWH" /> They agreed to meet July 11, 1804 at [[Weehawken, New Jersey]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.atlasobscura.com/places/weehawken-dueling-grounds |title=Weehawken Dueling Grounds |website= |publisher=Atlas Obscura |accessdate=September 8, 2016}}</ref> Dueling was [[illegal]] in New York which is why they chose Weehawken.<ref name="Fleming87">Thomas J. Fleming, ''Duel: Alexander Hamilton, Aaron Burr, and the Future of America'' (New York: Basic Books, 1999), p. 87</ref> It was also the site where Philip Hamilton, Alexander Hamilton's son, had been killed in a duel three years earlier.<ref name="Fleming87" /> The night before the duel, Hamilton wrote his [[will (law)|will]], letters to friends, and finally a letter to his wife.<ref name="Sedgwick339">John Sedgwick, ''War of Two: Alexander Hamilton, Aaron Burr, and the Duel That Stunned the Nation'' (New York: Berkley Books, 2015), pp. 339–342</ref> At dawn the next morning the two met at Weehawken. Without any discussion, the two men took their positions.<ref name="Sedgwick339" /> Unusual for a duel of this kind, the two fired about 4–5 seconds apart.<ref name="Sedgwick339" /> Who fired first is not known today. Burr's bullet struck Hamilton and knocked him down.<ref name="Sedgwick339" /> Then Burr promptly turned and left. The bullet went through Hamilton's [[rib]]s, and damaged his [[lung]]s and [[liver]]. Hamilton was taken to a friend's house in [[Manhattan]] where his wife and children joined him.<ref name="Sedgwick339" /> He asked two [[Clergyman|ministers]] to give him [[Communion (Christian)|Communion]] but was refused.<ref name="Sedgwick339" /> Finally the [[Episcopal Church|Episcopal]] [[Bishop]] [[Benjamin Moore (bishop)|Benjamin Moore]] gave him the [[sacrament]].<ref name="Sedgwick339" /> Hamilton died the next morning.<ref name="Sedgwick339" />

Hamilton had a long-time [[Rival|rivalry]] with Jefferson's vice president, [[Aaron Burr]], which resulted in the Burr–Hamilton duel of 1804 in which Burr killed Hamilton. Hamilton kept Burr from being renominated for vice president<ref name="duelEWH">{{cite web |url=http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/duel.htm |title=Duel At Dawn, 1804 |website= |publisher=Eyewitness to History.com |accessdate=September 8, 2016}}</ref> and successfully supported his opponent in the elction for [[governor of New York]].<ref name="duelEWH" />

 

Burr responded by challenging Hamilton to a [[duel]].<ref name="duelEWH" /> They agreed to meet July 11, 1804 at [[Weehawken, New Jersey|Weehawken]], [[New Jersey]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.atlasobscura.com/places/weehawken-dueling-grounds |title=Weehawken Dueling Grounds |website= |publisher=Atlas Obscura |accessdate=September 8, 2016}}</ref> Dueling was [[illegal]] in New York and so Weehawken was chosen,<ref name="Fleming87">Thomas J. Fleming, ''Duel: Alexander Hamilton, Aaron Burr, and the Future of America'' (New York: Basic Books, 1999), p. 87</ref> which was a common site for duels.since the authorities took a blind eye there. At the same place, Hamilton's son, Philip Hamilton, had been killed in a duel three years earlier.<ref name="Fleming87" /> The night before the duel, Hamilton wrote his [[will (law)|will]], letters to friends, and finally a letter to his wife.<ref name="Sedgwick339">John Sedgwick, ''War of Two: Alexander Hamilton, Aaron Burr, and the Duel That Stunned the Nation'' (New York: Berkley Books, 2015), pp. 339–342</ref>

 

At dawn, the next morning the two met at Weehawken. Without any discussion, the two men took their positions.<ref name="Sedgwick339" /> Unusually for a duel of this kind, the two fired about 4–5 seconds apart.<ref name="Sedgwick339" /> Whoever fired first is not known today. Burr's bullet struck Hamilton and knocked him down.<ref name="Sedgwick339" /> Thenm Burr promptly turned and left. The bullet went through Hamilton's [[rib]]s and damaged his [[lung]]s and [[liver]].

 

Hamilton was taken to a friend's house in [[Manhattan]], where his wife and children joined him.<ref name="Sedgwick339" /> He asked two [[Clergyman|ministers]] to give him [[Communion (Christian)|communion]] but was refused.<ref name="Sedgwick339" /> Finally, the [[Episcopal Church|Episcopal]] [[bishop]] ,[[Benjamin Moore (bishop)|Benjamin Moore]], gave him the [[sacrament]].<ref name="Sedgwick339" /> Hamilton died the next morning.<ref name="Sedgwick339" />

== Legacy ==

== Legacy ==

[[File:US10dollarbill-Series 2004A.jpg|left|thumb|200px|{{center|Hamilton on the US $10 bill}}]]

[[File:US10dollarbill-Series 2004A.jpg|left|thumb|200px|{{center|Hamilton on the US $10 bill}}]]

Hamilton is shown on the face of the U.S. 10-dollar bill. Hamilton is one of only two non-[[President of the United States|presidents]] honored on commonly used [[Banknote|notes]].<ref>The other non-president honored on US money is [[Benjamin Franklin]].</ref> Some of Hamilton's words are still quoted. For example,

Hamilton is shown on the face of the [[United States ten-dollar bill]]. Hamilton is one of only two non-[[President of the United States|presidents]] honored on commonly-used [[Banknote|notes]].<ref>The other non-president honored on US money is [[Benjamin Franklin]].</ref> Some of Hamilton's words are still quoted such as the following:

"I never expect a perfect work from imperfect man." -The Federalist #25<ref name="quotes">GoodReads.com, [http://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/51287.Alexander_Hamilton "Alexander Hamilton Quotes"]; retrieved 2012-10-9.</ref>

"I never expect a perfect work from imperfect man." -The Federalist #25<ref name="quotes">GoodReads.com, [http://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/51287.Alexander_Hamilton "Alexander Hamilton Quotes"]; retrieved 2012-10-9.</ref>

Hamilton was the founder of the [[United States Revenue Cutter Service]], which in 1915 became the [[United States Coast Guard]].<ref name=BraynardCGC>{{cite web |url=http://coastguard.dodlive.mil/2016/03/the-long-blue-line-alexander-hamilton-first-member-of-the-long-blue-line/ |title=The Long Blue Line: Alexander Hamilton – first member of the long blue line |author=Katie Braynard |date=March 3, 2016 |website=Coast Guard Compass |publisher=United States Coast Guard, U.S. Department of Homeland Security |accessdate=October 23, 2016 |archive-date=August 15, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160815151944/http://coastguard.dodlive.mil/2016/03/the-long-blue-line-alexander-hamilton-first-member-of-the-long-blue-line/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> For that reason, he is considered the father of the United States Coast Guard.<ref name=BraynardCGC/> He was a staunch [[Constitutionalism|constitutionalist]] who, unlike several of the founding fathers, believed in a strong central government.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.theimaginativeconservative.org/2012/07/legacy-of-alexander-hamilton.html |title=The Legacy of Alexander Hamilton |author=Michael Federici |website= |date=July 12, 2012 |publisher=The Imaginative Conservative |accessdate=October 23, 2016}}</ref> During his life he was involved in nearly every major political event from the Revolution to the [[United States presidential election, 1800|election of 1800]].<ref name=Ambrose1>Douglas Ambrose; Robert W. T. Martin, ''The Many Faces of Alexander Hamilton: The Life and Legacy of America's Most Elusive Founding Father'', (New York: New York University Press, 2007), pp. 1–2</ref> His writings fill a staggering 27 volumes.<ref name=Ambrose1/> Yet he is probably the least well understood of any of the founding fathers.<ref name=Ambrose1/> By the time of Hamilton's death, the Federalist Party he had helped start was in [[decline|decline]].<ref name=fedPBS>{{cite web |url=https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/duel/peopleevents/pande05.html |title=The Federalist Party |website=The American Experience |publisher=PBS; WGBH |accessdate=October 24, 2016}}</ref> Hamilton and the Federalists had convinced Washington to create a central bank, assume the debts of the states and pass [[tax]] [[law]]s.<ref name=fedPBS/> There is little doubt these moves helped save the new [[democracy]].<ref name=fedPBS/>

Hamilton was the founder of the [[United States Revenue Cutter Service]], which in 1915 became the [[United States Coast Guard]].<ref name=BraynardCGC>{{cite web |url=http://coastguard.dodlive.mil/2016/03/the-long-blue-line-alexander-hamilton-first-member-of-the-long-blue-line/ |title=The Long Blue Line: Alexander Hamilton – first member of the long blue line |author=Katie Braynard |date=March 3, 2016 |website=Coast Guard Compass |publisher=United States Coast Guard, U.S. Department of Homeland Security |accessdate=October 23, 2016 |archive-date=August 15, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160815151944/http://coastguard.dodlive.mil/2016/03/the-long-blue-line-alexander-hamilton-first-member-of-the-long-blue-line/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> For that reason, he is considered the father of the United States Coast Guard.<ref name=BraynardCGC/> He was a staunch [[Constitutionalism|constitutionalist]] and, unlike several of the Founding Fathers, believed in a strong central government.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.theimaginativeconservative.org/2012/07/legacy-of-alexander-hamilton.html |title=The Legacy of Alexander Hamilton |author=Michael Federici |website= |date=July 12, 2012 |publisher=The Imaginative Conservative |accessdate=October 23, 2016}}</ref> During his life, he was involved in nearly every major political event from the American Revolution to the [[1800 United States presidential election|election of 1800]].<ref name=Ambrose1>Douglas Ambrose; Robert W. T. Martin, ''The Many Faces of Alexander Hamilton: The Life and Legacy of America's Most Elusive Founding Father'', (New York: New York University Press, 2007), pp. 1–2</ref> His writings fill a staggering 27 volumes.<ref name=Ambrose1/>

 

However, he is probably the least well-understood of any of the founding Fathers.<ref name="Ambrose1" /> By the time of Hamilton's death, the Federalist Party, which he had helped start, was in [[decline|decline]].<ref name="fedPBS">{{cite web|url=https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/duel/peopleevents/pande05.html|title=The Federalist Party|website=The American Experience|publisher=PBS; WGBH|accessdate=October 24, 2016}}</ref> Hamilton and his Federalists had convinced Washington to create a central bank, assume the debts of the states, and pass [[tax]] [[law]]s.<ref name="fedPBS" /> There is little doubt that those actions helped save the new country.<ref name="fedPBS" />

Hamilton is the [[subject|subject]] of the 2015 [[Broadway theatre|Broadway Musical]], ''[[Hamilton (musical)|Hamilton]]''. It was written by and [[star|star]]s [[Lin-Manuel Miranda]] in the [[title role]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2016/12/25/entertainer-year-runner-up-lin-manuel-miranda/95465808/|title=USA TODAY Entertainer of the Year runner up: Lin-Manuel Miranda |author=Kelly Lawler |date=December 25, 2016 |website= [[USA Today]]|accessdate=December 25, 2016}}</ref>

Hamilton is the [[subject|subject]] of a 2015 [[Broadway theatre|Broadway Musical]], ''[[Hamilton (musical)|Hamilton]]''. It was written by and [[star|star]]s [[Lin-Manuel Miranda]] in the [[title role]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2016/12/25/entertainer-year-runner-up-lin-manuel-miranda/95465808/|title=USA TODAY Entertainer of the Year runner up: Lin-Manuel Miranda |author=Kelly Lawler |date=December 25, 2016 |website= [[USA Today]]|accessdate=December 25, 2016}}</ref>

== Alexander Hamilton Media ==

== Alexander Hamilton Media ==

<gallery widths='160px' heights='100%' mode='traditional' caption=''>

<gallery widths='160px' heights='100%' mode='traditional' caption=''>

File:Alexander Hamilton 1757 1804 hi.jpg |''Alexander Hamilton in the Uniform of the New York Artillery'', a portrait by [[Alonzo Chappel]]

File:Alexander Hamilton in the Uniform of the New York Artillery by Alonzo Chappel.jpg |''Alexander Hamilton in the Uniform of the New York Artillery'', a portrait by [[Alonzo Chappel]]

File:Alexander Hamilton making the first draft of the Constitution for the United States 1787 (cropped).jpg|Portrait of Hamilton authoring the first draft of the [[U.S. Constitution]] in 1787

File:Alexander Hamilton making the first draft of the Constitution for the United States 1787 (cropped).jpg|Portrait of Hamilton authoring the first draft of the [[U.S. Constitution]] in 1787